AJC Berlin Director Deidre Berger Receives German Diversity Award

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Dec 18, 2012, 12:28 ET

HANOVER, Germany, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Deidre Berger, director of AJC Berlin, has received the prestigious Role Model for Societal Integration 2012 Award.

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Berger was honored for her "outstanding work promoting transatlantic relations and a dialogue of cultures in Germany," said Ramazan Salman, Director of the Hanover-based Ethno-Medical Center Association and head of the jury selecting the award recipients.

Salman emphasized Berger's talent for inspiring dialogue among various interest groups on such important issues as the Middle East conflict and diversity in society.

"AJC's reach in Germany has been greatly expanded through our broad-based engagement with various groups," said Berger, who has served since 2000 as director of AJC Berlin's Lawrence and Lee Ramer institute for German-Jewish Relations.

"The way in which Germany, as Europe's most populous country, deals with diversity can set standards for Europe," said Berger. "It is important that Germany continue on the path of becoming a more inclusive society rather than a 'we-they' divide."

The Role Model for Societal Integration Award is presented annually during International Migrants Day by the health project Mimi, the Ethno-Medical Center Association, the website MiGAZIN, and the Moses Mendelssohn Academy.

Berger was recognized in the category of "Achievements for Contributions to Social Harmony, Promotion of Democracy, Mutual Understanding among Cultural and Religious Groups, and Engagement against Racism and Xenophobia."

Four other recipients were named role models for their contributions in the areas of education, social issues, religion and environment.

AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, opened its Berlin office in 1998. It works in close partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote diversity, democracy and human rights.

Berger advocates for a strong transatlantic partnership, a deepened understanding of Mideast issues, enhanced dialogue among ethnic and religious groups, and the importance of Holocaust remembrance.